Assessing cost-effectiveness analyses in rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.
Economic considerations are now a source of great concern to clinicians and policy analysts. Many cost-effectiveness analyses have been published in the area of arthritis, most with substantial methodologic deficiencies. The goal of this article is to outline a method for evaluating cost-effectiveness assessment within the field of rheumatology. We do so by critically evaluating 6 cost-effectiveness analyses--2 in rheumatoid arthritis and 4 in osteoarthritis--as a basis for appraising the literature and developing future studies.
Ruchlin
H S
HS
Cornell University Medical College, New York, NY 10021, USA.
Elkin
E B
EB
Paget
S A
SA
D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000191:economics* / Q000628:therapy; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D004180:Direct Service Costs; D006801:Humans; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000191:economics* / Q000628:therapy; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D019057:Quality-Adjusted Life Years